Wrench



Patented Aug. 15, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WRENCH Horace P. Reasoner, Cheyenne, Wyo. Application June 7, 1943, Serial No. 489,966

4 Claims.

My invention relates to Wrenches, and has among its objects and advantages the provision of an improved pipe wrench embodying a novel adjustment to facilitate application and manipulation of the wrench under difficult operating conditions, and in which the wrench is of durable but relatively simple construction.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a side view of the wrench.

Figure 2 is a top view of the head structure.

Figure 3 is a bottom view, and

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the head structure.

In the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, the wrench includes a shank I provided with a jaw I2 at one end thereof, which jaw is arranged at right angles to the shank and provided with gripping teeth I4. An adjustable jaw I6 is formed as a continuation of a block I8 having an opening for slidably receiving the shank I0. This jaw is also provided with gripping teeth 22.

A longitudinal slot 24 is provided in the shank I0 for the reception of a slidable pivot or pin 26 attached to the block I8l Figure 4 illustrates a spring 28 as lying within the opening 20 and engaging the bottom straight edge 30 of the shank I0 to normally hold the jaw I6 in the position i1- lustrated. This spring has an end 32 attached to the block I8, and the other end of the spring slidably engages the rear face 34 of the jaw I6 so that the jaw may be pivoted about the axis of the pin 26 with the spring 28 maintaining contact with the face 30.

The upper edge of the shank I0 is provided with rack teeth 36 for selective engagement by a latch tooth 38 on the block I8 and projecting into the opening 20. The tooth 38 latches the block I8 against rearward movement on the shank I0 when the pipe is gripped between the jaws I2 and I6.

The block I8 carries two spaced arms 40 between which are located the shank I0 and a handle 42. Both the shank and the handle fit loosely between the arms 40 but are restrained from lateral movement. One end of the handle is provided with an angular end portion 44 having a pivot head 46 lying in a retaining recess 48 in the jaw I6, with the recess communicating with an opening 50 somewhat larger than the end portion 44 so that the latter may pivot relatively to the jaw I6. The handle 42 is pivotally connected at 52 with the arms 40.

In operation the jaws I2 and I6 may be adjusted to approximate positions by tapping or pressing either jaw against the work or the pipe. Such tapping will shift the block I8 longitudinally on the shank I0, with the block I8 pivoted about the axis of the pin 26 as the tooth 38 passes over the rack teeth 36. The tension of the spring 28 is sufcient to hold the tooth 38 in engagement with one of the rack teeth 36, and working grip of the jaws I2 and I6 is attained by applying pressure on the handle 42. Such pressure on the handle pivots the jaw I6 sulciently far to cause the two jaws to attain a good bite on the work or the pipe.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully explain my invention, that others may, by applying current knowledge, readily adapted the same for use under various conditions of service.

I claim:

l. A pipe wrench comprising a shank having teeth and a jaw attached to one end thereof, said shank being provided with a longitudinal slot, a block having an opening slidably receiving said shank and having a second jaw, said block having a tooth selectively engageable with said teeth to hold the second jaw in different gripping positions with respect to said first jaw, said block having a pivotl slidable in said slot, a spring interposed between said block and said shank opposite the teeth thereof, and a handle having a pivotal connection with said block and pivotally engaging said second jaw.

2. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said block is provided with arms straddling said shank and pivotally connected with said handle intermediate its ends.

3. The invention described in claim 1 wherein said second jaw is provided with a recess, and in which said end of the handle is pivotally retained in said recess.

4. In a wrench, a jaw having a socket therein, an arm extending from said jaw in a direction opposite its gripping face, a handle, a head formed at the inner end of the handle having swivel engagement with said socket, an element pivotally connecting the outer end of the arm with the intermediate portion of said handle, and a second jaw adjustably associated with the first mentioned jaw.

HORACE P. REASONER. 

